[1]The IPL has moved far beyond just cricket. The cricketers are seen sporting interesting hairstyles on the field. Be it Virat Kohli’s spikes or Chris Gayle’s dreadlocks, their quirky hairstyles have been receiving mixed response from style freaks and city youngsters.
Talking about her newly discovered love for cricket, Bollywood director and choreographer Farah Khan says, “Honestly speaking, I am not a sports freak. I am like any other girl who does not follow sports religiously. However, I love watching IPL because of the glam quotient attached to it. I think Virat Kohli has emerged as a new icon for youngsters with his attitude and performance. His spikes have become a craze in the ongoing edition of the tournament. He knows what suits him, and plays to his strength. I think he is one cricketer who knows what works for him, and makes sure he makes it his own!”
Veteran Sri Lankan and Mumbai Indians pacer Lasith Malinga’s golden curls style have now become a money-spinner for wigmakers. “I think Malinga with his fierce curly locks make him stand out like a ferocious Lankan lion. This slinging speedster can be intimidating to batsmen when he comes running to bowl with those golden curls, pierced brows and deadly stares,” says Arppit R Maheshwari, owner of Wanna Party, a company that specialises in wig making.
Another city-based sports enthusiast Mohit Mittal says, “Royal Challengers player Bangalore’s player Chris Gayle’s dreadlocks speak of a spirit unbound and when he gets a wicket, his Gangnam style celebrations are on par with the most wonderful moments of joy one has ever seen on a cricket field. I think he is one of the players who has a charm of his own — both on and off the field.”
Unfortunately, while some of our Indian cricketers are good at their game, very few pay attention to their image. Yatan Ahluwalia, grooming and image consultant and specialist on men’s skin, hair, grooming and fashion says, “Sportsmen need a strong image — grooming and styling is an essential part of their public recall. I do work with a few cricketers (cannot take names owing to contractual obligations) as well as some athletes and boxers, but there is immense potential for each of our players to look a lot better than they do.”
When it comes to sports, youngsters often pay attention to the overall personality of the sportsmen. Our sports heroes are no doubt good on field, but fail to impress the young cricket-loving brigade when it comes to their fashion statements. “Why can’t sportsmen pay a little attention to their looks as well? I think the young and famous Ishant Sharma playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad needs an immediate and desperate haircut. His long and silky hair have now become rather unkempt and messy and do not go well with the game. Kolkata Knight Rider’s player Sunil Naraine’s mohawk looks awkward and needs to be chopped off. There are several other young cricketers who have the potential to make women go-weak-in-their-knees through their class, style and personality,” says stylist and model Neha Panda.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/t24jpg-533